Some of you have requested suggestions for exercising while pregnant and how to stay motivated through it all. Before performing anything serious, consult with your doctor, especially if you were not used to working out before you were pregnant. With that being said, according to Webmd.com, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has recommended about 30 minutes or more of exercise per day while pregnant, unless you have a medical complication.
Exercising is not only good for your body, but your unborn baby's development! It can help you build more endurance and a stamina for when it comes time to deliver the baby. Low-impact exercising is the safest!
Materials Needed:
Yoga Mat and/or Exercise Ball
Dumbbells
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| Click for Yoga Mats |
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Click for dumbbells |
Low-Impact Exercises:
- Brisk Walking
- Pool activities (nothing that requires holding your breath!)
- Bicycling (usually indoor, taught by an instructor)
Dumbbell Exercises:
- Bicep curls
- Use 3-5 pound dumbbells. Sitting down, usually on an exercise ball or a Yoga mat, curl the dumbbell up toward your face.
- Shoulder Press
- Using the same weight, sitting down, start at your shoulders and push the dumbbells up. Your arm should be straight in the air holding the dumbbells. Bring them back down and that counts as 1.
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| Bicep Curls |
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| Shoulder Press |
Motivation to Exercise
For those of you who have already had children, you know the pain and discomfort associated with giving birth. Exercise can help alleviate some of that discomfort during labor!
Reasons to stay motivated:
- Prevent or ease your back pain
- Help boost your mood
- Help you sleep better at night!
- Less likely to gain excess weight (NOTE: baby weight is completely natural and NEEDED for the baby)
- Help with labor pains and discomfort
- More likely to keep exercising after having the baby
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